Theme: The Brave Ones

"The Brave Ones" is an attempt to celebrate the local heroes and heroines continuously taking brave steps in their respective fields. These individuals may not be the most recognized and acknowledged, but the impact and weight of their efforts is the center of our attention. By creating an environment that allows them to offer us insight into their history, activities, and future aspirations – we hope to not only learn from these brave ones but further inspire and empower other individuals to seek their highest potential – regardless of the internal and external challenges that one continuously faces.

George Arts Theatre
125 York St
George, Western Cape, 6529
South Africa

Alexandra Burger

Chief Information Officer

With over 20 years of experience in international business, finance, legal affairs and the technology industry, I am a seasoned executive dedicated to driving innovation and strategic growth. My international experience has equipped me with a global perspective, enabling me to effectively manage cross-border projects and build strong relationships with stakeholders around the world. I am excited about the future of technology and its potential to transform industries, and as a member of the Meta Humans Team, I am committed to leading Meta Humans through this dynamic landscape.

Anthony Noble

Artist

Anthony Noble is a renowned South African artist based in George, Western Cape. Known for his evocative landscape paintings, his work beautifully captures the essence of the region's natural scenery. With a career that spans decades, Anthony has gained recognition both locally and internationally, hosting numerous exhibitions, including his annual Places series at the George Library. Beyond painting, he is also a skilled potter and teacher, sharing his expertise through live demonstrations and motivational talks. His ability to create intricate art in under an hour has fascinated audiences worldwide.

Betty's Nuklear

Music Artist

Stuck between a hard rock and a hard place, Betty’s Nuklear is a four piece alternative rock band from the Garden Route, Western Cape, RSA, Established in 2020 Betty’s Nuklear strive to deliver high velocity performances that are fueled by their original music - inspired by the “out of the box” thinkers and creators of music today. Betty’s Nuklear invites you to express yourself truly, sometimes you just need it a little louder and a little harder.

Brenda Vorster

Airport Manager

Brenda Vorster is the Manager of George Airport in the Western Cape, South Africa. With a commitment to excellence, she has been instrumental in steering the airport through significant developments, including its expansion and its pioneering achievement as Africa's first solar-powered airport. Brenda's leadership has contributed to George Airport's reputation as a key player in the region's tourism and business sectors, as well as its recognition in various industry awards. Known for her dedication to service and community, Brenda continues to drive innovation and sustainability at George Airport.

Caville Abrahams

NSRI Drowning Prevention Regional Coordinator

Caville Abrahams is a talented National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Drowning Prevention Instructor. He leads a team of Instructors who visit schools daily to teach children water safety and survival swimming. Caville's passion for his work is palpable. He thrives in the field, teaching children, training volunteers in Survival Swimming, and establishing new survival swimming locations in disadvantaged communities. Caville started his career in drowning prevention as a young lifeguard in 2006 and is now a qualified NSRI facilitator, assessor and leader. His hands-on experience and strategic leadership have enabled him to contribute positively to the NSRI Drowning Presentation department and exponentially grow the team of instructors with the goal of reaching 1 million children in 2024. When he is not busy training new instructors or teaching children water safety and survival swimming, Caville loves fishing on the Garden Route or travelling with his family.

Dr. Ansua Steyn-Ahlstrom

Physician

Dr. Ansua Steyn, a seasoned Medical Doctor with over 20 years of experience, specializes in Aesthetic Practice and Cosmetic Surgery. She Dr. Ansua Steyn is a Medical Doctor with over 20 years of experience, specializing in Aesthetic Practice and Cosmetic Surgery. After earning her MBChB from the University of the Free State, she gained extensive experience in Emergency Medicine at top hospitals like Flora Clinic and Wilgeheuwel. She later transitioned into General Practice and Aesthetic Medicine in Johannesburg, where she excelled in cosmetic procedures and became a sought-after Allergan trainer, specializing in Botox and Fillers. Now based in the Western Cape, Ansua founded the Dr. Ansua Foundation, offering free surgical procedures to underserved patients. Her career reflects a commitment to excellence, patient care, and humanitarian work.

Edmondo van der Berg

Educator

I'm Edmondo van der Berg, a primary school educator with six years of experience and a background in audio engineering. I hold a Bachelor of Education degree from Nelson Mandela University and am currently pursuing an advanced certificate in Mathematics and English at the University of Cape Town. My teaching philosophy is centered on addressing the needs of today’s students in a modern context. I strongly believe in the power of technology to enhance learning, and in my role as an E-Learning facilitator for the Western Cape Education Department, I’ve seen how it can bridge learning gaps and foster essential 21st-century skills. I was honored to be nominated for a Teachers Award in “Enhanced Teaching and Learning with Technology,” a recognition of my dedication to innovative education. My goal is to empower students to thrive in our evolving society, equipping them with the skills and confidence to succeed.

Elsie Harmse

Founder & Managing Director

the need for quality education and scarce skills development. Africa Skills offers accessible training, with the ‘Red Seal’ trade certificate recognized globally, opening opportunities in countries like New Zealand, Canada, and Europe. Under Elsie's leadership, Africa Skills became the first institution in George to achieve QCTO accreditation, ensuring the training meets local business needs. With over 16,000 qualified artisans trained, more than 80% of graduates secure employment, with many starting their own businesses, contributing to the local economy. Elsie is a certified HBDI practitioner with extensive leadership experience. As CEO of the UXi Artisan Development Group, managing 18 campuses from George, her leadership has positioned the city as a leader in workforce training and development.

Germaine Leonard

Jazz Artist

Germaine Leonard is a Cape Afro Jazz guitarist from Manenberg, Cape Town, who graduated with a BA in Jazz Pedagogical Studies from UCT in 2019. He plays the Ibanez Artcore Hollow Body, USA Fender Strat, and Cort Nylon String guitar, though his first love is the bass guitar. After moving to George in 2007, where he excelled in music, Germaine became a music teacher and founded the Germaine Leonard Music (GLM) Academy in 2019. He also co-founded the Garden Route Musicians Network (GRMN), which hosts workshops for creatives. As a solo artist, Germaine has performed with Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Siphokazi Jonas, Errol Dyers, and Alou April. In 2019, he joined Wilton Oktober, Alfonso Julius, and Marco Plaatjies to form Fanatics SA, an Afro Pop band known for its punchy grooves. Recently, they opened for Shakatak at the Grand Arena, Cape Town, and have backed prominent South African acts like Theo Watt and Vuvu Kumalo.

Jonathan de Graaff

Entrepreneur

Jonathan De Graaff is a serious but silly monkey. He tends to be as curious as a 5-year-old, as energetic as a 12-year-old, and sometimes as wise or foolish as an old soul. He grew up in three different places: mainly in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, Gelntana, a small seaside village in the Western Cape, and Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. He has a passion for science, a love for healthcare, and a deep connection with information communication technologies. Since 2022, he has relocated to George and is a young businessman working remotely to provide operational support and digital services to individuals, businesses, as well as community service organizations.

Locadia Dzingwena

Researcher

Locadia Dzingwena is a researcher at Nelson Mandela University (George campus), pursuing a Master of Science in Nature Conservation. Informed by environmental change, and knowledge gap, her current research focuses on the phenotypic variations of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in southern African biomes. She holds a Bachelor of Science Honor’s degree in Forest Resources and Wildlife Management from the National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe where she was awarded the NUST Book Prize and the NUST Vice Chancellor’s prize in 2021. Her research interests include behavioural ecology, primatology, conservation, and spatio-temporal analytics.

Malaka Grant

Author and Blogger

Malaka Grant is a storyteller and entrepreneur who draws upon the rich cultural mosaic of her Ghanaian American heritage to fuel her craft. Initially a reluctant romantic, she stumbled upon her talent for the genre in 2009 and now weaves modern Pan African romance tales in her novels and published works online. A lifelong bookworm, Malaka recognizes the significance of representation in literature, reflected in her fantasy Afro-centered children's books that foster a passion for reading. Through her voice acting prowess, she infuses characters with authenticity and depth, bringing each role to life. As a dedicated advocate for pleasure, Malaka co-founded the renowned platform "Adventures From the Bedrooms of African Women," aiming to provide a safe space to spark essential conversations on sensuality and empowerment, infused with a touch of levity. Her thoughts and reflections on parenting, race, love and politics can be found on her personal blog mindofmalaka.com

Nikki du Toit

Founder

Nikki, an entrepreneur from George, South Africa, launched the brand "Lekker in George" in 2018. Her vision was to create more than just a business—she aimed to build lasting relationships grounded in honesty and real results. Lekker in George quickly became a trusted name, known for its integrity and commitment to the local business community. Nikki's results-driven approach sets her brand apart. She and her team focus on delivering tangible outcomes that drive growth and create meaningful partnerships. Their ethos emphasizes that success is not only about financial gains but also about the positive impact on individuals, businesses, and the community. Under Nikki's leadership, Lekker in George has grown into a beacon of reliability, thriving by fostering transparency and trust. As a leader, Nikki embodies vision and empathy, guiding her business to new heights while staying true to her core values of honesty, sustainability, and real success.

Thandy Mkhambi

Founder

Thandolwethu Thusile Mkhambi known as Thandy has over 10 years of HR Business Partner experience in FMCG, Retail, and EdTech. Her educational roots are firmly planted in the Eastern Cape, having completed her basic education in East London; she went on to complete her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. This led her to start her HR career as a Graduate Trainee with Unilever in Durban and she closed her corporate chapter as a Senior HR Business Partner at GetSmarter/2U. Her love for people and policy propelled her into a consultancy career in the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) space, where she provokes a different way of thinking about the age-old conversation of transformation. She believes that ‘when individuals thrive, organic growth within organizations becomes possible and sustainable; for current and future states’. She is a mother to a daughter, two sons, and one furry baby and s blessed to call George, in the Western Cape, home.

Tinus Badenhorst

Composer

Tinus Badenhorst is an accomplished musician, serving as the Organist and Choirmaster at Outeniqualand Gemeente since 2011. A passionate composer, Tinus has been creating music across various genres, with a particular focus on neo-classical compositions, dating back to his primary school years. In addition to his performance and composition work, he is also a skilled Sheet Music Designer, blending his love for music with a technical understanding of music notation. Tinus's deep commitment to music and his community is evident in his long-standing contributions to church music and his dedication to the art of composition.